Environmental and Workplace Sustainability of the Industrial Processes

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closed (31 October 2024)

Manuscript submission deadline

31 December 2024

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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Water, soil and air pollution are among the most critical aspects that are negatively impacting the environment, and our health consequently. While the technological evolution of industrial productions has definitely improved the quality of human life, the development and the effective application of sustainable processes did not come out on a parallel line, leaving to us both the duty and the opportunity to study and propose new models, ideas and inventions. This framework covers an extremely wide area of research: energy production, food technologies, Oil & Gas, pharmaceutics, fine chemistry and waste management and treatment, including both regular process design, new technologies, improved logistics and theoretical methos. Studies may involve specific topics for these fields, but common themes are also interesting, such as reducing energy harvesting.

Therefore, authors are invited to present original research articles, review papers, or communications focused on the proposal of sustainable processes or tools. Works including the improvement of safety and quality of workplaces should be also included, due to their not ignorable impact on sustainability.  

Dr. Elisabetta Sieni
Dr. Sabrina Copelli
Dr. Barozzi Marco
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Designs designs	-	3.9	2017	15.2 Days	CHF 1600	Submit
Energies energies	3.0	6.2	2008	17.5 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Processes processes	2.8	5.1	2013	14.4 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Safety safety	1.8	3.2	2015	27.3 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	6.8	2009	20 Days	CHF 2400	Submit

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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All Designs Energies Processes Safety Sustainability

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15 pages, 1633 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Sustainability and Cost Effectiveness of Using LCO₂ as Cutting Fluid in Industrial Hard-Turning Installations

by Iñigo Llanos, Iker Urresti Espilla, David Bilbatua and Oier Zelaieta

Sustainability 2024, 16(22), 10078; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162210078 - 19 Nov 2024

Viewed by 510

Abstract

Conventional oil-based emulsions used in hard-turning processes present significant environmental and economic challenges, including high waste generation and hazardous disposal requirements. In response, cryogenic CO₂ cooling has gained attention as a sustainable alternative, offering improved productivity, reduced tool wear and a diminished [...] Read more.

Conventional oil-based emulsions used in hard-turning processes present significant environmental and economic challenges, including high waste generation and hazardous disposal requirements. In response, cryogenic CO₂ cooling has gained attention as a sustainable alternative, offering improved productivity, reduced tool wear and a diminished environmental footprint. While technical advances have been reported, the industrial adoption of cryogenic cooling is still limited due to the lack of clear data on its actual viability. This paper moves beyond the analysis of the technical performance of cryogenic CO₂ cooling analyzed in previous works to conduct a detailed evaluation of its environmental and economic performance when machining roller bearing components with pCBN tools on a hard-turning installation. Utilizing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Return-on-Investment (ROI) methodologies, this study compares cryogenic CO₂ with traditional cooling methods, quantitatively assessing the environmental impact and economic viability across different manufacturing scenarios. The findings reveal that cryogenic cooling can outperform conventional cooling regarding both environmental impact and cost-effectiveness thanks to the tool life improvements provided by cryogenic cooling, specifically in cases where high tool consumption is generated during hard-turning operations. These results provide critical insights for selecting cooling strategies during the design phase of industrial turnkey projects, highlighting the potential of cryogenic CO₂ as a superior solution for sustainable and efficient hard-turning operations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental and Workplace Sustainability of the Industrial Processes)

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15 pages, 1781 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Utilizing Dairy Waste Processing for Organic Agricultural Production: A Sustainable Approach to Producing Organic Goods

by Mohammad Shamsuddoha and Tasnuba Nasir

Processes 2024, 12(11), 2521; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12112521 - 12 Nov 2024

Viewed by 774

Abstract

Resources are limited. Thus, farmers worldwide are trying to use their waste to best extract value that can promote environmentally friendly farming. Recycling dairy waste for organic cultivation seems to be one of the alternative approaches to pursuing environmentally friendly agriculture. This study [...] Read more.

Resources are limited. Thus, farmers worldwide are trying to use their waste to best extract value that can promote environmentally friendly farming. Recycling dairy waste for organic cultivation seems to be one of the alternative approaches to pursuing environmentally friendly agriculture. This study investigates whether or not dairy waste treatment could improve organic crop production and promote a circular economy. This endeavor examines the credible benefits, obstacles, and consequences of incorporating dairy waste into organic farming practices. Using System Dynamics and case study approaches, including field trials, agricultural evaluation of data, and discussions with stakeholders, the research strategy advocates investigating how dairy waste-derived fertilizers influence soil fertility, crop productivity, and product quality. Interaction with stakeholders helps evaluate the viewpoints of growers, dairy producers, legislators, and consumers regarding adopting dairy waste treatment for organic agricultural growth. This study demonstrates how dairy waste processing can serve as a significant source of biofertilizer for organic farming. The beneficial impact of organic fertilizer derived from farm waste improves the nutritional value of organic crops, crop yield, and soil health. The crop production information collected in the study demonstrates that dairy waste-derived fertilizers are nutrient-dense and could substitute for manufactured/chemical fertilizers economically and environmentally. This study emphasizes the need for creative ideas to improve agricultural sustainability. The present study advances the understanding of sustainable agriculture and offers practical advice to those looking to use greener methods of operation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental and Workplace Sustainability of the Industrial Processes)

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21 pages, 1742 KiB  

Open AccessReview

Interaction between a Human and an AGV System in a Shared Workspace—A Literature Review Identifying Research Areas

by Agnieszka A. Tubis, Honorata Poturaj and Anna Smok

Sustainability 2024, 16(3), 974; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16030974 - 23 Jan 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2749

Abstract

Background: This article presents the results of a literature review from 2018 to 2023, which focused on research related to human and AGV system cooperation in a shared workspace. This study defines AGV systems as systems using Automated Guided Vehicles or Autonomous Guided [...] Read more.

Background: This article presents the results of a literature review from 2018 to 2023, which focused on research related to human and AGV system cooperation in a shared workspace. This study defines AGV systems as systems using Automated Guided Vehicles or Autonomous Guided Vehicles. An Automated Guided Vehicle is a cart that follows a guided path, while an Autonomous Guided Vehicle is an Automated Guided Vehicle that is autonomously controlled. The analyses conducted answered two research questions: (RQ1) In what aspects are the human factor examined in publications on the implementation and operation of AGV systems? (RQ2) Has the human-AGV collaboration aspect been analyzed in the context of a sustainable work environment? Methods: The literature review was conducted following the systematic literature review method, using the PRISMA approach. Results: Based on the search of two journal databases, according to the indicated keywords, 1219 documents pertaining to the analyzed issues were identified. The selection and elimination of documents that did not meet the defined criteria made it possible to limit the number of publications to 117 articles and proceedings papers. On this basis, the authors defined a classification framework comprising five basic research categories and nine subcategories. The analyzed documents were classified, and each distinguished group was characterized by describing the results. Conclusions: The development of a two-level classification framework for research from the analyzed area according to the assumptions of the concept map and the identification of research gaps in the area of human-AGV interaction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental and Workplace Sustainability of the Industrial Processes)

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22 pages, 8901 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Comparison between Physics-Based Approaches and Neural Networks for the Energy Consumption Optimization of an Automotive Production Industrial Process

by Francesco Pelella, Luca Viscito, Federico Magnea, Alessandro Zanella, Stanislao Patalano, Alfonso William Mauro and Nicola Bianco

Energies 2023, 16(19), 6916; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16196916 - 30 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1564

Abstract

The automotive production sector plays a significant role in the energy consumption of all the industrial sphere, which currently represents approximately 38% of the total global energy use. Especially in production sites with several manufacturing lines working in parallel, the occurrence of failures [...] Read more.

The automotive production sector plays a significant role in the energy consumption of all the industrial sphere, which currently represents approximately 38% of the total global energy use. Especially in production sites with several manufacturing lines working in parallel, the occurrence of failures and anomalies or sudden changes in the production volume may require a re-scheduling of the entire production process. In this regard, a digital twin of each phase of the process would give several indications about the new re-scheduled manufacture in terms of energy consumption and the control strategy to adopt. Therefore, the main goal of this paper is to propose different modeling approaches to a degreasing tank process, which is a preliminary phase at automotive production sites before the application of paint to car bodies. In detail, two different approaches have been developed: the first is a physics-based thermodynamic approach, which relies on the mass and energy balances of the system analyzed, and the second is machine learning-based, with the calibration of several artificial neural networks (ANNs). All the investigated approaches were assessed and compared, and it was determined that, for this application and with the data at our disposal, the thermodynamic approach has better prediction accuracy, with an overall mean absolute error (MAE) of 1.30 °C. Moreover, the model can be used to optimize the heat source policy of the tank, for which it has demonstrated, with historical data, an energy saving potentiality of up to 30%, and to simulate future scenarios in which, due to company constraints, a re-scheduling of the production of more work shifts is required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental and Workplace Sustainability of the Industrial Processes)

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12 pages, 2627 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

The Limiting Content of Combustibles to Prevent Minestone from the Spreading of Fire

by Boleslav Taraba, Petr Gřunděl and Gabriela Zelenková

Energies 2023, 16(13), 5054; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16135054 - 29 Jun 2023

Viewed by 879

Abstract

The limiting content of combustibles to spread/suppress the fire in the minestone of the coal tailing dump (gangue) was studied. This knowledge appears crucial mainly when deciding on the possible usage of minestone as fireproof material for engineering purposes. Theoretical analysis, laboratory experiments [...] Read more.

The limiting content of combustibles to spread/suppress the fire in the minestone of the coal tailing dump (gangue) was studied. This knowledge appears crucial mainly when deciding on the possible usage of minestone as fireproof material for engineering purposes. Theoretical analysis, laboratory experiments as well as scale (in situ) considerations were performed. In the laboratory, a model series of coal–mineral matter mixtures and six representative minestone samples of coal tailing dump (gangue) were investigated. The thermoanalytical (TG/DSC) method was used to evaluate the content of combustibles with their energetic equivalent, EEC (%). The EEC has been suggested as a proper way to quantify the content of combustibles in the samples. Based on the original combustion calorimetric test, an EEC value of 7–9% was found to be a limit between fireproof and fire spreading minestone in a laboratory, while only 2% of combustibles resulted as the limit from the theoretical analysis. On the other hand, respecting real conditions of thermally active dump (Heřmanice tailing coal dump), the laboratory limit of 7–9% of EEC was then assessed to shift to the value of about 10 ± 1% for practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental and Workplace Sustainability of the Industrial Processes)

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